PISCATAWAY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--IEEE, the world's largest professional organization dedicated to
advancing technology for humanity, today announced initiation of three
new standards-development projects and an IEEE Standards Association
(IEEE-SA) Industry Connections activity that are all intended to expand
the capabilities and relevance of the IEEE 802.3™ “Standard for
Ethernet.” Work is underway to amend the base standard in multiple ways
so that it is more useful in emerging application areas, and the new
Industry Connections activity will engage global industry in discussion
of the next-generation Ethernet Passive Optical Network (NG-EPON).

With more than 1.2 billion ports deployed in 2012 alone1,
Ethernet is a technology that impacts day-to-day life globally.
Initially developed in order to standardize connectivity among
computers, printers, servers and other devices inside a local area
network (LAN), the IEEE 802.3 Standard for Ethernet touches a tremendous
range of established and emerging technologies, including data-center
networks, personal computers, laptops, tablets, smartphones, subscriber
access, cellular backhaul, power infrastructure and smart meters,
personal medical devices and the Internet of Things, in addition to
connected cars.

IEEE P802.3br™ “Draft Standard for Ethernet Amendment Specification and
Management Parameters for Interspersing Express Traffic” is being
developed to address the market need in emerging IEEE 802.3 Ethernet
application areas such as audio/video, automotive, industrial automation
and transportation (aircraft, railway and heavy trucking) to
cost-effectively converge low-latency and best-effort traffic streams on
the same physical connections. Currently, such functionality requires
multiple networks with parallel links, but, when completed, IEEE
P802.3br would amend the base standard to support interspersed express
traffic. For more information on development of IEEE P802.3br, visit http://standards.ieee.org/develop/project/802.3br.html.

IEEE P802.3bt™ “Draft Standard for Ethernet Amendment: Physical Layer
and Management Parameters for DTE Power via MDI over 4-Pair” is being
developed to address the market need for more robust and efficient Power
over Ethernet (PoE) capabilities. Applications such as pan/tilt/zoom
security cameras, Internet Protocol (IP) videophones, kiosks,
point-of-sale (POS) terminals, thin clients, multi-radio wireless nodes
and access points, laptop computers, RFID readers and building
management have demonstrated need for more power, and, when completed,
the new IEEE 802.3 amendment would be intended to increase the power and
efficiency of PoE. For more information on development of IEEE P802.3bt,
please visit http://standards.ieee.org/develop/project/802.3bt.html.

IEEE P802.3bu™ “Draft Standard for Ethernet Amendment: Physical Layer
and Management Parameters for 1-Pair Power over Data Lines” is being
developed to extend PoE to data terminal equipment (DTE) via a single
twisted pair IEEE 802.3 Ethernet connection. The availability of power
on the single-pair data interface would remove the need for separate
power wiring for applications in emerging Ethernet markets such as
automotive, transportation and industrial automation. For more
information on development of IEEE P802.3bu, please visit http://standards.ieee.org/develop/project/802.3bu.html.

Also, the IEEE 802.3 Industry Connections NG-EPON Ad Hoc has been
launched to explore the market potential and technology options for an
NG-EPON operating at data rates beyond 10 Gigabit per second (10Gbps).
EPON is widely deployed for a number of applications, including
residential and commercial subscriber access (for voice, video and data)
and mobile backhaul. Equipment vendors and network operators,
particularly in Asia and North and South America, are interested in
exploring the technologies available for the next generation of EPON.
For more information about the IEEE 802.3 Industry Connections NG-EPON
Ad Hoc, please visit http://www.ieee802.org/3/ad_hoc/ngepon/index.html.

Through Industry Connections, the IEEE-SA facilitates like-minded
organizations and individuals coming together quickly, effectively and
economically to build consensus at strategic points in a technology’s
lifecycle. Industry Connections activities have the unique opportunity
to leverage IEEE resources in a customized format to produce a variety
of shared results. For more information about the IEEE-SA’s Industry
Connections program, please visit standards.ieee.org/industryconnections.

About the IEEE Standards AssociationThe IEEE Standards
Association, a globally recognized standards-setting body within IEEE,
develops consensus standards through an open process that engages
industry and brings together a broad stakeholder community. IEEE
standards set specifications and best practices based on current
scientific and technological knowledge. The IEEE-SA has a portfolio of
over 900 active standards and more than 500 standards under development.
For more information visit http://standards.ieee.org/.

About IEEEIEEE, a large, global technical professional
organization, is dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of
humanity. Through its highly cited publications, conferences, technology
standards, and professional and educational activities, IEEE is the
trusted voice on a wide variety of areas ranging from aerospace systems,
computers and telecommunications to biomedical engineering, electric
power and consumer electronics. Learn more at http://www.ieee.org.